How do you say ‘sorry’ in ‘woof’ language?

It only takes a few weeks and suddenly I find I’ve not posted on this blog – then more weeks go by and I justify this to myself by saying, ‘Oh well, everyone sees my photos on Facebook and Instagram.’ I post an image each day on both of those social media platforms at Jilly Bennett Photography. And then, several of you lovely people wrote concerned for me – was I ill? Is everything alright? How kind and how caring. Thankyou! Follow up emails made me realise that not all of you are on Facebook or Instagram, indeed many of you aren’t. So big big apologies and here we go… The blog got side-lined is because I’m working on a book of dog photography and this has involved travel into Italy and further along the coast from where I live in France. This year I’ve been to Venice and Puglia – in October I go to Rome – and meanwhile have been on shorter trips to Genoa, San Remo, Portofino and other joys along the Ligurian coast and always to photograph dogs. The book will feature dogs of France and Italy and I need more Italian content. Anyway, who doesn’t love going to Italy!

So for today, here are a few images taken on some of those trips. I will still post travel pieces as before – when time allows – but what I promise to do is post regularly, even if I post only a few photos just to keep you in the picture, excuse the pun… No justification for not posting for so long, so no excuses other than ‘woof woof woof…’

The first photo was taken in a backstreet in the historic centre of Bari, in Puglia where a shiba inu guards his family

The photo above and the one below were taken in Venice. I went to Venice with the intention of photographing gondoliers and their dogs. There are four gondoliers in Venice who work with their dogs and I was fortunate to find two of them. Meeting up to make arrangements in tiny hole-in-the-wall gondolier bars was all part of the fun and it was the best fun going out on the canals with them … but those images are for the book!

San Remo in winter with owner and shih-tzu wrapped up against the cold.

I saw this Jack Russell in the far distance running incredibly fast towards me in Nice. By the time I had focused the camera and clicked he’d almost run past. I only had one chance of a shot and fortunately it worked.

Beautiful Martina Franca, in Puglia – these two dogs are from the same litter but with different owners and meet up each evening to play in front of the basilica.

The image above and the one below were taken in Genoa in a beautiful arcade in one of the main streets.

Three adorable dachsunds in Monopoli, Puglia. They were on holiday from Germany

oh, jilly, how wonderful to find this collection from you. i, too, am not on facebook and have thought of you so often and hoped all is well. from the quality of these compositions i see you are very well indeed. so glad you posted this!!!

Dearest Karen, so lovely to see you here. I have thought of you often too. So loved your visit to Menton and to me. You are one gorgeous and inspirational lady. So yes, all well. As you gather, the dog book comes first and after that, the Gorbio book, that we spoke of. Love love love to you both xxx

Hi Jilly, I LOVE all your pooch posts & DO hope that one day you will take a picture of my beloved Francesca, a bit timid, but my treasure & always beside me …bliss !
I am often in Italie, do you know Seborga ? maybe there ?
I would love your book when available.
xxx

I love this so much. I just found your blog today and was transported by your wonderful pictures. 🙂 I used to travel full time, but am now building a good life on a small farm in Australia. Seeing your images today was a lovely escape that brought back beautiful memories. 🙂

Millie, thanks so much. So apprciate your words – I can hear you cheering. Miss you my friend! Loving your work and the success you are having with your beautiful photography. Adored the Northern Territory images! xxx

Very nice set, Jill, it was worth waiting the end of your holidays for it…
How do you decide color vs/ B&W? You are bold, choosing to mix the two, as you add a layer of complexity to editing and sequencing.
Hope to see & read more soon.

About Me

I'm Jilly,

More than anything I love to photograph people. Every face tells a story, a moment captured on a camera tells a story. And that's always my aim - to tell a story, to share a feeling, an emotion. I love to photograph life as I see it around me here in the south of France, where I've lived for over twenty years.

And if there's a dog in the photo, so much the better! I'm currently working on a photography book featuring dogs of France and Italy. Luckily, I speak fluent 'dog' - my favourite language.